Rescue Teams Continue Search For Missing Pilots After Nigerian Air Force Alpha Jet Crashed
Military intensifies efforts in search of missing pilots
The Nigerian military has launched a huge search for pilots who went missing after an Air Force fighter jet crashed in the Sambisa forest area in Borno State, Northeast Nigeria.
HumAngle understands that the military had dispatched a search and rescue team to the crash site of the Alpha jet in the Sambisa forest.
The status of the pilot and co-pilot are currently unknown more than 24 hours after the incident.
The Sambisa forest general area considered to be the stronghold of the Abubakar Shekau led Boko Haram has been a target of frequent airstrikes targeting camps and fighters.
According to a statement by the Nigerian Air Force on Wednesday, the Alpha jet lost contact with the radar while on a routine mission in support of ground troops.
The mission was reported to be part of the ongoing counterinsurgency operations in the Northeast.
A report by PRNigeria stated that the fighter jet was seen flying around Goni Kurmiri and Njimia villages after attacking terrorist locations at the Sambisa axis.
Njimia village in the fringe of the sambisa forest has witnessed a series of military airstrikes and ground operations.
A few days ago, Nigerian troops deployed to Bama under 21 Task Force Brigade of Sector 1 killed seven Boko Haram terrorists along the Njimia Alafa axis of Sambisa forest.
It was disclosed that the insurgents were planting several improvised explosive devices along the route of military clearance.
On Dec. 10, 2020, fighter jets and helicopter gunships were deployed to target a Boko Haram position in Njimia.
Similarly, on Nov. 10, 2020 airstrikes were conducted after aerial surveillance on Njimia and Dure.
Oladayo Amao, Nigeria’s Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal arrived at Maiduguri Thursday’s morning.
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